Hirakata is served by Keihan Railway. In Osaka, from Kyobashi Station it costs ¥320 and ¥400 from Nakanoshima Station.
From Eastern Kyoto, you can reach Hirakata Station from Demachiyanagi (¥420), Sanjo (¥340), Gion-Shijo (¥340), and Chushojima (¥320). From Kyoto Station, you can transfer to the Keihan Line at Tanbabashi Station.

Okami Shrine (意賀美神社). Located atop Mount Mannenji, the shrine grounds are filled with plum blossoms around February and March. The mountain itself is considered to be one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Hirakata".edit

Hirakata Park (Hirapaa), (A five minute walk from Hirakata Koen Station), ☎072-844-3475, [1]. Open from 10 AM to 5 PM. Hirakata Park is a popular children's amusement park with something to do during every season. During the summer, there are a variety of rides open to visitors. They have a ferris wheel, a few roller coasters, the Giant Drop, and even some wet rides. One unique attraction featured at Hirakata Park are the "adventures". There are a variety of these, and each is a bit different from shooting lazer guns to carrying a crystal ball through a maze. In the winter time, you can go ice skating in the park.Entrance to the park costs ¥1300, but every ride and attraction costs additional money. If you plan on doing a lot, pay ¥3600 for an all-day riding pass. Prices change during winter months. edit

Hirakata is home to Kansai Gaidai University, a foreign language university. It's East Asian Studies Program has made it one of Japan's most popular universities for foreign students to attend for study abroad, as it has direct relations with many universities throughout United States, Canada, and Europe, as well as some in South America, Africa, and other Asian nations.

7 Gods (aka 'Jins'). A small, cozy izakaya (Izakaya = Bar at which they serve snacks) right outside of Kansai Gaidai east gate. The owner, Jin, loves foreign students, speaks quite good english and can give advices for travelling as well as a lot of interesting stories. A big beer is 350 Yen, you can get a big plate of yakimeshi (fried rice) for 450 Yen.edit

Hirakata Sun Plaza Hotel, 11-11 Okahigashi-cho, ☎+81728465511, [3]. checkin: 4:00 PM; checkout: 10:00 AM. Although it is an expensive hotel by Japanese standards, it is popular among those visiting students who are studying at Kansai Gaidai University.Rooms start at ¥7500 for a single. edit